New York

George Custer's Grave, United States Military Academy at West Point, New York

Custer was originally buried at the Little Bighorn Battlefield two days after his death in June 25, 1876. In the summer of 1876, his remains were removed and taken to Poughkeepsie, New York. His remains were taken to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Son of the South provides the Harper’s Weekly story of Custer’s burial and detail on his life.

Our family took a tour of the U.S. Military Academy in the fall of 2011. The campus is not open to the public so we took a guided tour of the Academy grounds from West Point Tours. Highlights of the tour was the fall scenery from West Point, which overlooks the Hudson River, the Old Cadet Chapel built in 1837, and the West Point Cemetery. Notables buried there include football coach Red Blaik, Daniel Butterfield (composer of Taps), Lucius Clay (father of the Berlin Airlift), George Custer, Frederick Grant (son of U.S. Grant), Winfield Scott, and William Westmoreland.

Overall, a nice day trip out of the City on a beautiful fall Saturday.